"I think I can. I know I have always loved my own sisters; and I

know on what my affection for them is grounded,--respect for their

worth and admiration of their talents. You too have principle and

mind: your tastes and habits resemble Diana's and Mary's; your

presence is always agreeable to me; in your conversation I have

already for some time found a salutary solace. I feel I can easily

and naturally make room in my heart for you, as my third and

youngest sister."

"Thank you: that contents me for to-night. Now you had better go;

for if you stay longer, you will perhaps irritate me afresh by some

mistrustful scruple."

"And the school, Miss Eyre? It must now be shut up, I suppose?"

"No. I will retain my post of mistress till you get a substitute."

He smiled approbation: we shook hands, and he took leave.

I need not narrate in detail the further struggles I had, and

arguments I used, to get matters regarding the legacy settled as I

wished. My task was a very hard one; but, as I was absolutely

resolved--as my cousins saw at length that my mind was really and

immutably fixed on making a just division of the property--as they

must in their own hearts have felt the equity of the intention; and

must, besides, have been innately conscious that in my place they

would have done precisely what I wished to do--they yielded at

length so far as to consent to put the affair to arbitration. The

judges chosen were Mr. Oliver and an able lawyer: both coincided in

my opinion: I carried my point. The instruments of transfer were

drawn out: St. John, Diana, Mary, and I, each became possessed of a

competency.




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